Hits help

Credit: Matt West

HEALTHY CUT: Shane Victorino connects on an RBI single to cap off the five-run fourth inning that sparked the Red Sox to a 12-2 victory yesterday at Fenway.

Credit: Matt West

CLOSE IT OUT: Ryan Dempster gets a high five from Jarrod Saltalamacchia after making a rare appearance out of the bullpen to finish off yesterday’s victory.

Credit: Christopher Evans

HAVING A BLAST: Jonny Gomes gets congratulations from Red Sox teammates after scoring later in the inning. Gomes and the Sox kicked off the AL Division Series in style with a 12-2 rout of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz and Tampa Bay Rays catcher Jose Lobaton watch Ortiz' double during the fourth inning of Game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park on Friday, October 4, 2013.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Boston Red Sox's Stephen Drew tears around third base as he scores against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning of Game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park on Friday, October 4, 2013.

Credit: Matt West

The crowd goes wild as Johnny Gomes takes to the air after sliding in safely, scoring on a Stephen Drew single in the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park on Friday, October 4, 2013.

Credit: Matt West

HEALTHY CUT: Shane Victorino connects on an RBI single to cap off the five-run fourth inning that sparked the Red Sox to a 12-2 victory yesterday at Fenway.

Credit: Matt West

BREAKOUT: Stephen Drew screams as he gets back to the dugout after scoring in the fourth inning of yesterday’s 12-2 victory against the Rays at Fenway Park. The Sox began the inning hitless, but scored five times and sent 10 men to the plate.

Credit: Christopher Evans

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester tips his hat to the crowd as he leaves the game against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning in Game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park on Friday, October 4, 2013.

Credit: Matt West

Jon Lester

Credit: Matt West

Boston Red Sox outfielders Jonny Gomes, Jacoby Ellsbury and Shane Victorino celebrate a 12-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the ALDS at Fenway Park on Friday, October 4, 2013.

If Shane Victorino didn’t play again until after Thanksgiving, maybe that would be enough time for the aches and pains in his back, hamstring, hip and thumb to subside.

But Victorino had only four days.

Still, according to Red Sox manager John Farrell, no player benefited more from the four-day break between the end of the regular season and Game 1 of the Division Series yesterday. And Victorino looked perfectly healthy, knocking three hits and driving in two runs in a 12-2 rout of Tampa Bay.

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